UPCOMING EVENTS

Attivo Networks, a startup that specializes in thwarting cyberattacks using deception technology, has raised $21 million in a series C round of funding. The round was led by Trident Capital Cybersecurity, with participation from eBay founder Pierre Omidyar’s VC firm Omidyar Technology Ventures and Bain Capital Ventures.

Founded out of Fremont, California in 2011, Attivo is one of a number of cybersecurity startups in the deception technology realm, using defensive “hall of mirrors” techniques that consist of lures and traps designed to trick attackers into revealing themselves. In effect, the underlying technology automatically sets decoys that are integrated into a company’s existing IT infrastructure to confuse and misdirect any hackers that may have already infiltrated the network.

“Achieving 100 percent security is not realistic — organizations must know immediately when their perimeter security controls fail and be able to respond quickly,” explained Tushar Kothari, CEO of Attivo Networks. “Attivo Networks deception-based detection efficiently closes this detection deficit. It is not enough to understand how an attacker attacks, you must also know how to defend and respond.”

Prior to now, Attivo had raised $23 million in funding, including a $15 million series B round just five months ago. With its latest cash injection, the company plans to “meet the soaring demand” for early detection and smart deflection of cyberattacks.

As a result of Trident Capital Cybersecurity’s participation in this new round, Alberto Yépez, the firm’s managing director, will now join Attivo’s board.

“Deception puts attackers on the defensive, making them work harder and increasing their costs,” noted Yépez. “High accuracy addresses the issue of too many alarms being reported by existing solutions, and incident response is improved with the capture of specific techniques and tools being used by the attacker. This is the primary reason why companies are working closely with the Attivo team to help detect and more effectively respond to sophisticated cyberattacks.”

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